American Airlines, TAM ink codeshare

US carrier American Airlines (OTC: AAMRQ) said it has launched a new codeshare agreement with Sao Paulo-based TAM Airlines thereby increasing American´s network connectivity in Brazil and further enhancing American´s relationship with LATAM Airlines Group (NYSE: LFL).

Customers can begin booking tickets on codeshare flights for travel starting August 22, American said.

Through the agreement, the two airlines will codeshare on each other´s flights between the United States and Brazil. American´s customers will also have access to TAM flights from Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to eight additional destinations throughout Brazil, including Fortaleza, Natal and Vitoria.

TAM´s customers will also have access to American flights from Miami, New York and Orlando, Fla., to 25 cities in the US, including Atlanta, Los Angeles and Washington, DC.

The improved access provided through the relationship will also complement American´s new Brazilian service to Curitiba and Porto Alegre from Miami, pending government approval, and Sao Paulo from Los Angeles, all of which will be available for booking August 18.

American said that the new service from Miami to Curitiba and Porto Alegre will launch November 21 and the service from Los Angelesto Sao Paulo will launch December 16.

With the additional routes, American will serve nine destinations in Brazil.

American Airlines´ fleet of nearly 900 aircraft fly more than 3,500 daily flights worldwide from hubs in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. American flies to nearly 100 international locations including important markets such as London, Madrid, Sao Paulo and Tokyo.

LATAM Airlines Group is the new name given to LAN Airlines as a result of its association with TAM. LATAM Airlines Group now includes LAN Airlines and its affiliates in Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador, and LAN Cargo and its affiliates, as well as TAM and its subsidiaries TAM Linhas Aereas including its business units TAM Transportes Aereos del Mercosur and Multiplus.